Tag Archives: downtown St. Louis

Death In The Afternoon. How can you not be intrigued by a restaurant with a name as unique as this? Death In The Afternoon, located in downtown St. Louis, is named for Ernest Hemingway’s book as well as a classic cocktail made of absinthe and champagne which both bear the same title. The owners of the member’s only restaurant, Blood and Sand, opened this lunch spot to provide diners with a unique and creative midday meal. The location alone is something special. The building is constructed with floor to ceiling glass windows which provide unobstructed views of City Garden.

Looking over the menu, I was surprised by eclectic variety of Asian, Middle Eastern, and American dishes served together under one roof. My meal started off with the Agua Fresca, a refreshing drink that changes every day. My particular beverage was made with pureed cucumber, mint, and lemon and served over ice. The drink felt healthy and fresh and was a great alternative to a soda or cocktail. We started our meal with an appetizer of kim chi which was served with pickled green beans, mushrooms, colrabi, and parsnips. This was my first experience with kim chi and I really loved the spice, especially against the tartness of the pickled vegetables.

Agua Fresca

Kim Chi

When it was time to decide on a main course, I was immediately drawn to the turnip miso ramen. I always find myself longing for warm, hearty soups and stews but it is rare to come across one that is vegetarian friendly. This large noodle dish was accompanied by root vegetables, mushrooms, black garlic oil, a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg all served in a broth that had a great peanut flavor. Although I didn’t quite master the art of eating ramen in public, I fully enjoyed my dish and would come back for this alone. I also had the chance to sample the falafel and special of the day. The falafel was served alongside tzatziki sauce, cucumber salad, romaine lettuce, radishes, and mint. Although the falafel appeared to resemble your typical Middle Eastern street food, the spices of the dish are what made it stand out. The special of the day was baked eggs topped with cured guiancale (Italian cured poor cheek), carrots, and daikon. The eggs in this dish were also perfectly cooked but it felt like it didn’t quite belong on a menu with no other breakfast items. However, with a menu filled with such a variety of foods, I suppose anything goes.

Turnip Miso Ramen

Falafel

Baked Egg Special

This is not quite the place to bring your kids after playing in City Garden nor is it where you should stop by for a hurried lunch. The food is meant to be enjoyed and take you out of your comfort zone. So if you are looking to get a bit adventurous on your lunch hour, Death In The Afternoon should definitely be on your list.

Death In The Afternoon is located at 808 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, MO 63101
Open everyday from 11am-3pm